Page 16 of Daughter of Shadows and Ash

For weeks, I scouted the dilapidated home, learning his habits, where he frequented, and who visited.

I was frustrated to find his former companions never came by. The man lived a pathetic life, spending his days nursing hangovers and his nights drinking and entertaining paid company.

As I watched him stumble home night after night, my resolve only grew fiercer. Every stagger, every stumble was a reminder of the pain he'd caused, the lives he'd ruined. With each passing night, I felt the shadows within me grow deeper, more ravenous for the justice I was about to serve.

The night before last, he'd brought home a woman - human.

From my hiding spot, I'd winced as my fae hearing caught every sordid detail until the woman shrieked, cursed, and stormed out.

She'd spat something about inadequacies - whether his manhood or his coin purse was lacking, she'd wanted neither.

Tonight, blessed be the stars, he came home alone.

The shadows embraced me as I glided to the side of the house, peering through a window to find him nearly unconscious at the small table. I crept to the back, coaxing the window open with well-practiced fingers. Moonlight spilled across weathered floorboards, casting long shadows that danced at my command, while the musty scent of stale ale and unwashed linens assaulted my senses.

Through the ajar door, I spotted him slumped at the table, his shallow snores filling the silence.

I sighed. This couldn't be so easy. Silent as death, I positioned myself behind him, my presence a ghost.

He didn't deserve the mercy of dying in his sleep.

With my dagger ready in one hand, I seized the tankard and doused Archie with its contents.

I commanded the shadows away, unveiling myself.

His eyes locked onto me, nearly doubling in size.

"What in the hells?!" he bellowed, lurching to his feet.

I lunged forward, slamming him back into his seat, my dagger kissing his throat. "Remember me? You seemed so eager for my company before."

Archie's eyes darted wildly, his chest heaving as he gripped the edge of his chair. "That was before I knew what you were," he spat. "You're a monster. Nothing but destruction from the likes of you."

A cold laugh escaped my lips. "Oh, Archie," I purred, "the only ones who brought destruction were you and your crew." I pressed the dagger deeper, drawing a thin line of blood. "Where are they?" I demanded, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

He winced, a bead of blood trailing down his neck. "Loose lips never got anyone nowhere," he growled, defiance flickering in his eyes.

"Wrong answer," I sighed, my voice ice. "But I guess I'll just have to hunt them down like I did you. Like you did to all of them." The blade sang across his throat. His eyes went wild, thick fingers scrabbling at the gushing wound.

I watched the light fade from his eyes, victory and emptiness warring in my chest. "They'll... kill... you..." he choked out, his words dissolving into a wet gurgle as the life drained from him. His eyes rolled back, and he slumped forward, dead. I remained still, the hollow victory tasting like ash in my mouth.

The silence shattered with measured applause.

I whirled around, my heart leaping into my throat. A tall, lithe figure lounged in the doorway, shrouded in shadow.

Wrapped in black leather, they radiated power that felt wrong—neither fae nor human. Their face covered beneath a dark cloak.

"It's not often someone gets to my mark before I do," the figure mused as they stepped closer to our dearly departed friend. "Who sent you?"

I shifted, my grip on the dagger white-knuckled. "No one sent me," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. Every instinct screamed at me to flee. As the stranger advanced, I retreated, myeyes darting to the bedroom behind me. If I could make it to the window...

"Are you a free agent?" they inquired, halting just out of arm's reach, their head tilted in curiosity.

"I'm merely someone with a grudge," I retorted, struggling to keep the tremor from my voice. "I didn't mean to take your mark. By all means, tell your employer you did it. I got what I needed from this."

"If you decide you need employment, find me at the tavern in Bridgedale, just over the Sunnevan border. Ask the barkeep about vengeance." They made a lazy circular gesture with their hand. "Judging by that exchange with old Archie here, I'm sure that won't be difficult for you." They melted into the shadows like ink into water. I didn't hesitate, launching myself through the room and out the window, the night swallowing me whole.

Archie's deathbrought little comfort. He was just one of three who had devastated our village. I wandered through the town's narrow streets, my feet carrying me towards its outskirts. My chest felt hollow, each breath a reminder of all I'd lost as empty buildings stared back at me with shattered windows like accusing eyes. There was nothing left for me here.

---